Chioma Charlie-v

Do not Undermine Democracy I have received with shock the news of an order by the Federal High Court in Abuja nullifying the emergence of the Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and all the actions he has taken. This is unsettling and surprising. I do not challenge the ruling of the court. The court of law is constituted to determine disputes according to the law. My concern is that three months before a general election, it is in the public interest to have certainty. It is not good to have too many uncertainties about candidates and parties a few weeks before a presidential election. This instability is obviously engineered by the ruling party, just as they have done against me in the Labour Party and continue to do so to close down civic space for a robust campaign. It is also from the same rulebook that manufactures violence against us in our campaigns. One mark of democracy is that at all times, it is voters and not courts that choose leaders. I trust in the judiciary. As a public officer, I have shown deep respect for the judiciary. I appeal that we protect the integrity of democracy by not undermining the free and fair choice of candidates. The sustenance of democracy in Nigeria, in the midst of encroaching military rule in West Africa, should strengthen our resolve to protect opposition politics and not stamp out opposition parties. It is because of the importance of opposition to the sustenance of democracy that I have always promised that, as President, I will take a special interest in ensuring opposition parties are stable and thriving, and that opposition candidates are not persecuted out of electoral contests. This is a time to strengthen our democracy by allowing the opposition to thrive. A new Nigeria is POssible. -PO

IMO STATE: OUR CONVERSATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT WITH THE PEOPLE CONTINUE Our conversations and engagement with the people continued yesterday, 31st October 2026, as we journeyed from Yenagoa to Owerri, Imo State, for another edition of our ongoing town hall meeting series. Upon arrival, I began with a visit to one of the markets in Owerri, where I interacted with traders, buyers and other residents. Their stories and experiences offered yet another sobering reminder of how difficult life has become for ordinary Nigerians under the harsh economic policies of this administration. In my remarks at the town hall meeting, I reminded the good people of Imo State that, after more than three years in office, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has not considered it necessary to spend even one night in Imo State, despite spending over 260 days abroad. Meanwhile, his administration has accumulated enormous debts without delivering commensurate improvements in the lives of Nigerians. Our country is now ranked among the hungriest nations in the world, with over 140 million people living in multidimensional poverty. To compound this crisis, Nigeria remains one of the most terrorised countries in the world, while approximately 18 million children are out of school. I reassured the people of Imo State that all hope is not lost. Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and I are committed to securing and uniting our country, making massive investments in critical sectors such as health and education, and lifting millions of Nigerians out of poverty. Among the leading contenders, we believe we possess the experience, competence, capacity, commitment and readiness required to undertake the difficult but necessary task of turning Nigeria around. During the interactive session, questions were also raised about the protection of our votes. I encouraged our people to come out in their numbers, exercise their democratic rights and, more importantly, remain vigilant and stay with their votes until the final results are declared. I sincerely thank our teeming supporters, party candidates, party members, organisers and, most importantly, the good people of Imo State for their warmth, enthusiasm and overwhelming support. The journey to a new Nigeria is a collective responsibility. Together, we can build a country that works for everyone. A New Nigeria is POssible, and Nigeria will be OK! -PO